Python is fun and useful (was: Python is fun (useless social thread) ; -))

[Jane & Carl]

> I believe the applicability of Python and related techniques to
> process control, engineering programming, and so on, is vastly
> under-appreciated.  Conventional wisdom in these domains sees
> Visual Basic, Visual C++, and Fortran as suitable vehicles.
> You've seen how limiting this is.
>
> For reasons that I can elaborate at more length later, I'd love
> to diffuse awareness of Python's potential in mining and other
> "real-world" industries.  The Agile Control Forum <URL:
> http://www.engcorp.com/acf/RecentChanges > is made for just
> such purposes.  Although it's been rather quiet recently, that
> might change soon.  It'd be great to have you tell your story
> in the ACF Wiki.
> -- 
> http://mail.python.org/mailman/listinfo/python-list
>

Thanks!  I'll have a look at the Agile Control Forum.

I get some pushback sometimes for using Python instead of VBA/Excel at work. 
But my old department just sent two engineers for training with M. Lutz.  So 
there's hope.  All in all, I think Python is a pretty good choice for 
science, engineering, and process control.  As you pointed out "coventional" 
wisdom sometimes doesn't have the last, or the correct word on things.

Pythonistas of the engineering world, unite! (or something like that)